The heavyweight energy sector followed crude oil higher, as
the commodity jumped 4 percent on supply disruptions and an
oncoming cold spell in the U.S. Northeast.

Suncor Energy SU.TO rose C$1.74, or 1.9 percent, to
C$94.79, and Canadian Natural Resources CNQ.TO gained C$1.26,
or 2.1 percent, to C$62.21. The sector overall was up 1.1
percent.

The materials sector added 1.6 percent, while its subindex
of gold producers was up 2.3 percent amid climbing bullion
prices.

Agnico-Eagle Mines AEM.TO rose C$2.05, or 3.3 percent, to
C$63.45, and Goldcorp G.TO moved up C$1.39, or 3.9 percent,
to C$36.73.

The S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE closed up 63.97
points, or 0.49 percent, at 12,989.34. But the benchmark lost
2.5 percent on the week, plagued by worries of a U.S.
recession.

The retreat included a more than 300-point drop on Tuesday
after U.S. data showed the non-manufacturing services index
fell in January, fueling fears the slump in the U.S. housing
market has spread to the wider economy.
Continued...